COP30 in Belém: Security and Operational Risks for the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference

Like several other cities in the north and northeast of the country, parts of Belém record significant levels of crime. Despite a decrease in violence being noted in recent years by officials, the city records a homicide rate slightly above the national average of around 19 per 100,000 inhabitants.  

Crime, including muggings and armed robbery, is a concern in the city, particularly in areas such as Guamá, Agulha, Tapanã, Bengui, Cabanagem, Sacramenta, Jurunas, and Barreiro. Conversely, the neighborhoods of Umarizal, Batista Campos, and Nazaré are among the city’s most developed and safest areas. It is important to highlight that the risk of opportunistic theft remains a concern throughout the city, and no neighborhood can be considered completely free from crime. Non-violent crimes such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in tourist areas.

Credit card and debit card theft and fraud are a concern. ATM tampering and card-skimming in restaurants and other establishments are commonly reported problems nationwide, including in Belém. ATMs in banks, hotels, and other high-end establishments are likely to be safer for usage, but discreetly entering pin numbers is still strongly advised. 

Brazil has no significant recent history of terrorism-related incidents. Recently, extremist online groups have become a growing concern for large events in Brazil. For instance, Brazilian authorities said they foiled a bomb attack planned by a group targeting the LGBTQ+ community in May. There is no indication of such threats against the COP30 and no history of major attacks targeting international events, but the risk of one cannot be ruled out. 

Political protests and street demonstrations are common. Common triggers for unrest include issues such as corruption, discontent over economic policies, anti-establishment anger, and various political developments. During COP30, it is likely that multiple groups of protesters will also organize demonstrations related to a series of grievances near the main event venues. Most protests are peaceful in nature, though they may bring significant disruptions to traffic flow. Common protest locations in Belém include the Legislative Assembly of the State of Pará and main plazas such as the Praca do Operário and the Praca da República. Demonstrations can also affect key avenues in the city, including Avenida Visconde Souza Franco and Avenida Presidente Vargas. 

Belém has a tropical rainforest climate, with generally warm and humid conditions throughout the year. Rainfall is fairly abundant year-round; however, November is among the drier months. Heavy downpours are still possible at this time of year, and the city’s location on the confluence of the Acara and Guama rivers in the Amazon River delta makes it prone to flooding. Flooding and landslides triggered by sustained heavy rainfall can lead to casualties, transport disruptions, evacuations, power and communication outages, and other service disruptions in the region. An increase in extreme rainfall linked to climate change has exacerbated the threat of flooding, and infrastructure is generally not built to withstand these increasingly severe weather impacts. Poor waste management and blocked drainage systems heighten the risk of flooding in the city.

November is one of the hottest months of the year in Belém; highs during November average around 32° C (90° F) and temperatures rarely drop below 24° C (75° F) at night. Due to the high humidity, it can feel uncomfortably hot and muggy, particularly for those unused to such conditions. Air quality levels in the city are generally good to fair, although these can fluctuate due to factors such as wildfire smoke emanating from inland forest areas, and on occasion can become a concern, particularly for sensitive groups. 

In central areas of Belém, basic infrastructure services such as water, electricity, and fuel availability are generally reliable, and road safety conditions are generally adequate. However, the conditions of roads and general infrastructure in rural areas and poorer outskirts of the city can be poor.  

City buses are available but have a poor safety record. Petty theft and other criminal activities pose a high threat to travelers. Some intercity bus routes are also best avoided.

Taxis are readily available in Belém. Taxis arranged in advance by trusted hotels or business associates are generally safer. Overcharging can be perpetrated against taxi passengers, especially foreign nationals. 

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